There were situations that I've pictured myself in. However, shopping and acting as if I was suddenly BFFs with Hollywood's Princess was not one of them. She acted so nonchalant as she held up a dress in front of her, assessing her reflection in the mirror.

The employees of the store did not even try to hide their excitement and she did a good job of ignoring the way their hands were basically shaking when she asked them something.

"I'm going to try this on," she smiled before grabbing another dress from her pile and tossing it towards my direction, something I fumbled around in an attempt to catch, "And you try that."

The dress reminded of the one Meg allowed me to borrow back during the restaurant date with Adam. It was tight but long sleeved, but unlike hers which was a dark navy blue, this one was a dark red that I began to doubt if I was daring enough to sport.

Aside from that, it was not hugging the right places and I was constantly tugging down on the hem because it kept on riding up on the back part

"Sienna," Heart called out and I took a deep breath, smoothening down the dress with my hands before going out. She wore almost an identical one, the only difference was that hers had an off-shoulder. Yet, while I looked like a sausage ready to burst, she looked every bit of attractive in that dress.

She twirled around, her blonde hair creating a curtain around her face, and shot me a skeptical glance, silently questioning me if she should purchase the article of clothing. I all but blushed in embarrassment when I saw the two of us side by side in the mirror.

Well, goodbye self-esteem.

"We should do a double date with the boys some time wearing these dresses," she shrugged when she realized I wasn't going to reply, "You look good in that."

"I feel like I'm being squeezed out," I huffed unintentionally, trying to flatten my boring brown hair, "I don't think I like the look of it on me."

Her eyes zeroed on me as her lips flattened down into a thin line, an unamused expression now making its way into her features. She clicked her tongue before standing right behind me, once again emphasizing the height difference between us, especially because I took the liberty of taking off my shoes when I was squeezing myself into this dress while her heels remained on her feet.

"Oh god, I looked hideous a few years back," she snorted, pushing her hair over her shoulder, "But you know one thing that's different now? I didn't even change that much, it all came to the gained confidence."

"I would have guessed the confidence will come from people admiring you from every side," I said, finally finding myself slowly getting comfortable around her.

She smirked at my words, as if she's on in her own private joke that I could never understand, "But I think also being criticized by everybody will also do its damage."

This made my lips go shut and I was already formulating a long constructed apology. I guess she's used to people like me because she already lifted a hand to stop my long train of thoughts, "I'm not offended, in fact, I detach myself from people that aren't part of the industry to the point that I forgot that your opinions are like this."

She was tired – physically and emotionally.

Physically in the sense that you can clearly see the outline of her heavy eyebags that had been desperately concealed through makeup and the way she carefully tries to masks her staggering steps even though she had clearly mastered the art of wearing heels. When she attempts to look calm and composed, you could see how her posture looks like it was ready to collapse. Add to that was her voice, it was turning husky and worn out, probably for overusing it throughout her still on-going tour.

And yet when you see her on-stage, she always appeared as if she had all the energy in the world.

Emotionally because her eyes, even so expressive on her own, had lost their twinkle. When she smiles, it was like staring at a ghost because of how empty they appear. Still, she tried to be the ball of joy in other people's lives, laughing easily and seeking enjoyment in the simplest of ways.

Adam told me how she used to be so clumsy, such a crybaby, and an overall lost girl who managed to bounce the walls with happiness in the midst of it all. Then the idea made me die a little bit inside – how much did Hollywood ruin her?

"Get rid that sympathetic face," she sighed, disappearing into the curtain of the dressing room, "I chose this for myself and although it had its downs, the ups made up for it."

I dashed into my own dressing room and I quickly tried to peel off the dress from my body, loving the feel of oxygen after I've sucked in my stomach for the horrendous amount of time just to fit into the damn piece of clothing.

I made her upset again.

When I stepped out, she was already talking orders to the saleslady, pointing at almost every single item she walked past and asking for one in her size. She didn't even bother with trying them on one by one, she went straight to the counter and handed them her credit card.

So this was retail therapy in its extreme.

And if you think her power stops there, instead of carrying the bags, she told them to deliver it to the apartment complex. Of course, with the obscene amount of money she spent, I didn't think that they were in any position to deny her.

"Heart," I coughed out when we were on our third shop after I've unintentionally triggered her shopping spree, "Do you want to grab a bite?"

She turned to me, more disheveled than I have ever seen her. She slowly nodded her head after the cashier had handed her back her credit card.

I pulled her to the same café Adam and I went to when we first went furniture shopping for the sole reason that it was the nearest one we could reach and also because I've frequented this place since, it was nice to lessen the burden of overthinking where to eat or what to order.

"I'm so sorry," she apologized profusely, her head bowing in shame. Now her tone was no longer malicious, threatening, or full misplaced frustration.

And I thought I had mood swings.

"I completely forgot that this was supposed to be a trip for me to get to know you," she groaned, covering her face with her hands, "And I ended up exploding again. I really want us to get along, especially because you really mean something to Adam."

My posture relaxed when she said the last part and how can I honestly get worried when she had a best friend who was the most wonderful guy in the world? We already had a mutual ground – we both cared for Adam. As much as I wanted nothing but to plaster a smile on my face and wait for this day to be over, I couldn't do that.

Because she was trying, even if it was against her very nature to be the one to approach somebody. She was actually making a huge effort even if she basically acted hostile when we first met.

I should at least reciprocate it.

"Wait, do I have your approval?" I asked although I was weighing in if it was a sensible decision to open my mouth.

She dropped her hands and blinked at me, "I'm not his parents, although you wouldn't have any problems with his mom and dad because they're basically angels like their son. However, even if I didn't like you, Adam does and it was his decision to enter a relationship with you."

Just saying princess, we were not in a relationship yet.

And then she flashed me that award-winning smile of hers, but it did scare me because it was the one reserved for the cameras, it wasn't like her grin whenever she was with Adam or Axel. It was fake and it made my heart drop because it meant she wasn't comfortable enough with me.

She had walls, higher than mine will ever be. To tear them will be long and excruciating but something in me screamed that it will be all worth it.

There must be a reason why he used to be so smitten with her. What is it about her that got him head over heels in love?

And what must I do to get him to reach that point with me?

"He really cares for you," I said, smiling halfheartedly at the waiter after he had laid down our orders on the table. I didn't miss the way his eyes lingered on Heart though, "I'm sorry but this is going be my insecurity coming out, but in the occasion that you find out that he did love you as more than just friends, what will you do?"

Her eyes widened in surprise, probably afraid that I knew that she loved him like that. I did my best to keep my expression stoic though, hoping that she wouldn't find the truth in my face. Desperately wishing that she wouldn't realize how I do know and how I'm also aware of Adam's past feelings.

To throw a tantrum because he was so close and even staying in the same apartment with his best friend was ridiculously immature. Sure, the me a few years ago would have ensued a fight but who was I to complain when I also care so much for my ex?

I think trust was what was going to keep our relationship going because there would always be a third party and if not, distance would continue with its attempts to tear us apart.

"Theoretically, if that happens..." she trailed off, her gaze settling on her plate, "Then I'll say thank you."

"Thank you?" I repeated.

"Thank you," she confirmed, finally glancing up to meet my eyes, "I can't say that I love him to that degree as well anymore, because I'm in love with Axel. He's my prince charming, someone who I never realized that I needed because I was too busy being in my own bubble locked up in this grand tower. I can't replace him, I can never even fathom the thought of being with somebody else except for him and it's silly because we haven't even been dating for a year and yet, I love him like this."

You know what it was like to be completely in awe with somebody else's relationship? I only think of that when it's about fictional couples, but to be in the presence of someone who bravely announced her love and affection to somebody else with no hesitation, it blew my breath away. Not a single pause to think when she was saying her speech, it flowed so easily from her mouth that I was sure it wasn't rehearsed.

And now I was completely jealous. I wanted that surety, that lack of insecurity. She knew her relationship, she knew her partner, and she knew herself.

Me? I was barely aware what class I had for a particular day.

But then I remembered how she had to go through heartbreak before she was able to claim her happiness.

Well, love really is a rollercoaster ride. And let me tell you, sometimes it wasn't going to be fun but you've already sat in the cart and started the ride. Most of the times, you have no other choice but to stay there and see how it plays out.

Have I ever looked as love struck as she currently was? Have I ever stared wistfully at thin air as if it was the person himself?

Maybe, when I was too crazy for Justin. I wanted to feel it again though, and I wanted to experience it in a more grandeur style.

"You're good for him," she finally said after I've been under her speculative gaze the whole day, "Not overly dramatic, nothing too fretful, but just enough emotions to keep him on his toes."

I had no idea if that was a compliment, if I was being completely honest.

"A few weeks from now, Axel and I will be leaving because we both have our jobs to think about," she told me, taking a long sip of her hot coffee, "Adam and I have been apart since I was fifteen, I believe, when I moved to California. Aside from the video chats and customary holiday visits, I don't see him that much. He changed without me knowing, and he'll continue to do so."

I can only imagine what these two went through. Fifteen was the time when I was finally stripping myself off of my awkward phase – I was nailing down how to do my makeup, I started buying designer clothes, I bought a lot of skin products all recommended by my dermatologist to get rid of any horrible acne, and I was slowly gaining myself a new boyfriend.

For Heart and Adam? A dynamic that went from seeing each other almost every single day turned into a separation where none of them were fully aware of at the time.

"You used to like him as more than a friend, didn't you?" I shot out, shocking both of us with my straightforwardness.

So much for keeping it a secret.

And now her face turned so pale that I was genuinely concerned if she was going to faint at that very moment. But she recovered by swallowing hard, her fingers tapping nervously on the surface of the table. I held my breath in anticipation for her answer, I already fired the gun now I was just going to see if the bullet was going to hit her or if she will skillfully dodge it.

She chose the former by clearing her throat loudly and after a taking a long sip from her glass of water, she nodded, "Correct."

To hear it from Adam was one thing, for her to admit it herself was another, "That's why I'm asking you to take care of him. He deserves the world, he may have not chosen me and it did break my heart when he told me so, but he has chosen you. I know him, he doesn't take anything less than what he think is right."

She was strong and the bond she and my boyfriend shared was as well. It endured a distance worth the Atlantic Ocean, as well as a confession that was infamous for breaking friendships. Still, they valued each other just the same.

That was when I finally got the signal that it might be a while before she can trust me with her true self, but I have just gotten her approval. Even if she said that I don't need it, Adam thinks the world of his best friend and I don't want to him to be disappointed because we don't get along. She's important to him and I understand that, for that reason I want her to like me.

Because I don't want to be with a man who doesn't place his friends as one of his top priorities since I know fully well that if I started dating a guy my friends doesn't like, you bet the relationship will be over in a snap.

"Thank you," I murmured, a small smile appearing on my face.

"So have you done it with him yet?" she questioned boldly, making me choke on my own spit, a deep blush heating up my cheeks. She saw my reaction and she started to laugh freely, covering her mouth with her hand, "I'm only joking."

I bit my lip in embarrassment as she continued to giggle good-naturedly at my expression.

"How about we go around a few more shops after we eat before going back to the boys?" she suggested, gingerly gliding a knife through her baked salmon, "I promise to act more rationally with buying things."

When both of us have finally loosened up, the experience was much more enjoyable. The stores already appreciates it when I come in and buy things from them, but they absolutely adore it when Heart does it.

My style is very versatile – I can go from ripped jeans and sneakers to long dresses and high heels with a quick snap so it was always a fun gamble when going out as all my purchases depended on my mood.

And I think Heart just needed someone to play dress up with because after she had a full evaluation of just how many clothes she bought – realizing that it was all too ridiculous even for her – she started to pick things for me. This got the many salesladies and salesmen fawning over the two of us, ready to give her whatever she asks whether it was the same dress in a different color or another size.

"We're back," she declared after we have managed to carry all of the shopping bags we have accumulated throughout the whole day.

Axel and Adam weren't even talking when we came in, they each took the opposite sides of the L-shaped couch as their eyes were glued to the their phones even though the TV was running in front of them. When Heart cleared her throat loudly to catch their attention again, that was the only time they looked up.

"So how was your girls' day out?" Axel questioned, standing up from the couch and getting the bags from his girlfriend's arms.

"Fantastic," she grinned, kissing him on the cheek and heading up to her bedroom with him following behind.

Releasing a happy sigh, I plopped down on the couch next to Adam and rested my head on his shoulder. Although it was a great day, at the end of it all, I was still exhausted.

"Had fun?" he questioned, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and soothingly massaging my shoulder. I hummed contentedly and I saw him smile when I glanced up to see his face, "Good."

"She has quite the energy," I laughed, kicking off my shoes and resting them on the cushion of the couch.

He chuckled lightly, now moving his hand to run his fingers through my hair, which relaxed me in the best way possible, "Maybe because she haven't been out with a girl her age for some time now."

"I did kind of feel that she was rather lonely," I muttered, "But it's alright, I like it."

"I told you that you'll like her," he pointed out, reminding me of that exchange that have felt like forever ago.

But then again, meeting him really did feel like it had been ages. 

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This was more of a chapter for Hollywood's Princess readers more than anything. And speaking of which, that book is officially published. Meaning, it's out in-print and I couldn't be any more excited. Details are at the latest update on that book here on wattpad so go on ahead and check it out. 

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow. I love you guys and I shall see all of you next chapter.